G'day Guys JGS Machinery is an australian company and we are looking at starting to manufacture wheel loaders this year what i want to hear form you guys is what is most important to you and also what improvements could be made on models already out there. we understand parts and back up is probly the most important part of it and we are going to fix this issue by making all our dealers sole agents for our brands and all our agents must have at least enough parts to build another machine in stock ready to go no 3-6 week waiting times. Also interested in hearing from you guys what you want in the cabins? what makes it better for the operator?
I would say that auto-lube and quick-coupling systems sit high in my list, offering of finger-tip and joystick controls is another although I personally prefer finger-tip controls. Rear-view cameras I find are an absolute must these days as is LED lighting and very good lighting in general. Operator comfort goes a very long way towards productivity, back when I started in the industry enclosed cabs were not the norm and a/c was unheard of. Today's Operator's have it made and it does make a difference.
Cabs are now designed according to the ergonomics, such as wide view mast, suspension seat, air-conditioner and other. I have to say right now to develop a new wheel loader brand is very difficult, it is more easy to distribute other brands. Lonking, founded in 1993, and is the No.1 wheel loader manufacturer in China, annual sales of wheel loaders exceeds 46,000 units, with more than 200,000 units working worldwide, hope you are interested.
Me, I don't give a rats rear end about the cab or the operator, make the dang thing mechanic friendly, make it to where I can access and change a filter without making an environmental mess.
Sorry Lonking we are looking to develop a world class machine under australian and Weston standards not just another cheap machine. Also mazing now that i am looking at competing with you that now you want to partner up. anyways thanks but no.
I second that. Make the machine easy to repair and maintain and you'll have a whole army of mechanics recommending, (selling), the machine for you! Also use common components, that can be in a pinch, sourced from elsewhere. Makes part supply issues less of a problem. If it's got a computer or similar electronic items in it let potential owners know the replacement cost will be really low, just like computer prices are in the real world. The gouging on computer and electronic components in earthmoving equipment is unbelievable AusDave
Looking back to 1968 when I started in the Construction/Forestry equipment industry with Clark then VME then Volvo then Bell both in engineering and field product support. I believe that there is room in the market for a basic wheel loader similar to Clark Michigans from the 70's. Dump the high tech computers and all the bells and whistles, put the money in beefier simpler driveline components, countershaft transmission for loaders instead of planetary type, offer open cab or heavy duty A/C not marginal, more efficient cooling systems, . I found that the more gadgets on machines caused more problems. Operators liked them and have been spoiled to expect all the comforts of their $50,000 pickups. Put on a little bigger cylinders and drop the operating pressures, more efficient filters that are accesable from the ground. Should consider different lines for 3rd world countries, thats where a lot of the market is, but, tier 3 & 4 engines have a hard time dealing with the poor fuel in a lot of the 3rd world countries. Look at lower level engines for these areas, you can change to higher level as these countries demand it, but in the meantime you can develop a customer base and distributor level to work up to the demands for higher level machines as better fuels and oil are readily available.
Although I don't operate everyday, their is something to be said about a robust, simple, reliable machine. I also agree with designing up instead of down to a minimum. Tom
Thanks for all the info and feedback guys just so you know we are putting a pricing system in place for all of our machinery for the parts side of it where we will offer the cheapest parts as frankly speaking the other mobs are just ripping everyone off blind. i know the cost of building a machine i know the cost of the parts and the margins are just total BS with other companys. we will be also building heavyer machines not light weight machines. also we are using proper aircon systems not cheap units , that is why our cost will be higher then most other cheaper brands coming onto the market place from china. at first we will be out sourcing a lot of our parts and things from other manufactures we will bring all of this under our own devlopment as soon as possible. once we are a bit better set up we welcome anyone who is interested to come and have a look and let us know what you think. thanks JGS
I agree with you, something rugged and reliable enough to service with little fuss and will last as long as you need it to, but not so basic and un-ergonomical that your operators tell you to buy something else. Its no use having a machine that lasts forever, but go through 12 operators a year.... just my 2 cents
I am very sorry to hear that, but it is ok, and i hope you could find the perfect partner and achieve success in your new business. Good luck!
JGS, I think you're getting the drift of it in here, Keep it simple. Tougher, easier to self fix, parts around the corner, parts at reasonable prices.
I agree with DoosanFan. Simple,very rugged and service friendly but dont forget about the driver completely. Half the gizmos and gadgets are not necessary. Keep the cab big and quiet with old fashioned switches. For the western world keep the standard spec high,including atop class air seat, good working lights,opening windows,boom suspension, autolube and oversize the tires a bit. I cant see how a manufacturer saves money by skimping on basics like these. They end up making every machine different,to order and resale values suffer. Fuel consumtion also must be high on the list. Load sensing hydraulics and a countershaft 6 speed box. Please keep us posted as you proceed.
well mate just so you know our first parts storage place in goondiwindi QLD also parts are going to be the cheapest on the market place as we are not working like the others and trying to get your organs for a few parts.
Hey mate to be frank we are keeping the units basic at first also about the fuel well that will be a sticking ponit as we dont have that much control over that as we will be buying in engines and that at first. with the 6 speed gear box what size machine are you talking about in that regards as i cant really see us fitting our small loaders with a 6 speed currently anything under a 2 ton loading capacity we run a 4 speed ZF german gear box
Just an update guys i want to know what brand of engines you would accetp and why and also would you accetp Cummins engines manufactured in china and warranted by cummins world wide ? and if not why not? personally i want to run the cummins built in england biggest issue is the price it adds at least 10-25,000USD per machine to the cost.
First JGS Loader Hey guys wanted to show you guys this is our first loader finished today now bear in mind the loaders in the back round are not our we rented out this bit of space where the loader was. also showing a mate my new one also bear in mind this model is our first one so there is a lot of work to be done and also this is only a mini loader 1.5ton model.
Also i should point out we have not put the stickers on it yet still not 100% finished in the next week or so more photos will be going up
Nice !!!
You can save a few pennies by throwing out that floor mat. It will just trap dirt and water and help corrosion thrive underneath it. Looks good though. Tom
That's looking really good. Congrats!
You have just about said it all. An open cab option, especially on smaller machines is a good idea. Lack of computers and electronics would be an asset. Responsive bucket steering & brake control are essentials as are proper operator seating and control placement Provision for rippers on smaller or mid range size machines could be an advantage.
Yes, I second getting rid of the floor mat. Perhaps put a few drain holes in the floor to drain water though (sometimes one can't help getting in with muddy or snowy shoes). Minimize computers, keep it easy to service, make it tough, beefy, and heavy, PUT BIG TIRES, keep it simple overall. There are reasons why companies and individuals cherish many old machines from the 1980s and early 1990s. As for the engine, it's okay to offer a low cost chinese engine, but please do offer a western made engine as an option (say an american cummins or a CAT engine). I can't say I've had very good luck with the couple chinese engines I've dealt with. P.S. I put emphasis on the bigger tires because that's my biggest pet peeve with my current loader, a CAT IT18F. I always wish it had at least 20.5R25 tires if not 23.5R25 instead of the 17.5R25 it came with. The small tires spin and sink in mud far too often.
As for the tires well we already are doing that when you compare our loaders to others on the market place from china and else where we agree bigger tyres are a must and also with the engines what we have decide is basicly offer the chinese engines to the developing market place who want them and to Australia , UK , USA and other developed markets put the Cummins or Cat engine in them to be frankly hounest cant get CAT engines. so i think it will have to be Perkins or Cummins. Floor mat i think we will just do this on customers request as we have heard from both sides on this so basicly if you want it you get it if you dont then you dont simple i think. one thing i have been wondering a lot about is the figer tip controls what are they like to maintain? are they going to be an issue for customers who just want a basic machine?
There is more to go wrong with finger tip controls. Have found you have more feel with a direct control set up, especially when loading high sided trucks on a bad floor.
JGS Parts , I didnt know what size loader was being made . It does look good .I am more familiar with Volvo L70 to 90, 12 to 16 ton operating weight. As regards oversize tires, an L90E fitted as standard with Michalin 20.5R25s wore the first 2 sets of tires in 6000hours.Then fitted with 23.5R25s for the last 10000hours and there is 15% still left. At a guess -30% more rubber for 20% more money lasting 400% longer. This is an extreme example as the machine should have never left the factory like that. An L70D from new did 10500 hours on its standard 20.5R25 tires but 4 more tons and 30 more horses and it all goes wrong. It also applies to agricultural tractors so I am sure it applies to most tires in general.
I like the rocker switches. Have you considered a Fiat engine?
Warranties don't last forever, does Cummins Oz stock parts for the engines, can the mechanics rebuild these engines, what is their life expectancy? Re; floor mats, a well designed floor mat is a great thing, JD does some of the best that I have come across, one of the important things is that it is easily removable from the machine for cleaning. Also could you clarify that these machines are manufactured in Oz or assembled in Oz with OS parts? How are you planning on competing with the reputable brands and the brands that sell on price? The way I see it assembling in Oz will make the machines more expensive than the fully OS made cheap ones. Will prospective purchasers care who bolted the bits together. Basically why should I buy your machine versus one from say Lonking? However it is a nice looking machine but that steering wheel looks outdated, generally speaking nice looking machines are looked after better than the ugly ones. Just noticed that you don't seem to have a grab handle on the right side of the entry point, OHS says you need three points of contact. Also that lip on top of the fuel tank(?) is going to trip people up and the plastic gauge on the front of that tank could get damaged by the front tire. I would also look at making the steps different sizes, with the bottom one being the longest. People slipping of a machine during exit or entry is one of the biggest dangers. Also when people inspect your machine they should get a feeling of well thought out design rather than just build to a price. Many moons ago ** brought out a tractor to a farm where I was working, for evaluation purposes, first thing I noticed was that the entry step moved when you put your foot on it, this told me cheap straight away and my feelings on that tractor where immediately biased, sure enough the rest was not much better, cab was rattly and it was very bouncy tractor, funnily enough everyone wanted to drive the JD's and if you where a bit slow you got the bucking **.
Looks good so far, I agree with Hendrik, the steps need reworking, and you need another grab rail for entry. Also, the dials right down on the dash, below the windscreen, those may want to be brought closer to the operator. But it looks good, I can't wait to see some bigger ones Does it have to be blue though? I'm just asking...?
Another look at the machine and I am wondering about those front mudguards, seem a little close to the tire, would work OK in clean conditions but perhaps could be redesigned to be adjustable?
actually we have to change a few things on this loader we will post the final product , iam away from the factory right now i will be back there in about 10 days to take the rains again
The loader looks good. I thought it looked familiar to some other loaders I have come across from the Shandong region so I had a look at some photos. I have included a pic of a similar loader in the 1.5T capacity class. They also come in 2T capacity and by looking at the equipment on your loader I'm guessing it's 2T also. These loaders can be picked up for a very good price in China and I am assuming the quality would relate to this low price. What significant changes have you made to your model in order to improve quality?
we have changed the gear box , cabbin frame work (ROPS and also anti vibration and also sound damping) and boom thickness actually we have changed a hell of a lot of things yeah there is a head of cheap mobs selling similar looking but thats the problem with photos they all tend to look a lot a like also we changed the way the gearbox is set up for the cummins engine and detuz engines also. but the look of the machine is a lot a like but that will change in about 3 month when we bring out the -2 models. but you are right though i know this company they are in shandong qingzhou same city as our factory.
Burn! I agree with larger cylinders and lower working pressures as mentioned earlier. Heavy Stiff arms, Nothing worse than watching the boom flex with a full bucket in the air. Little things such as a turbo timer....I cringe when blokes switch a machine straight off after being 'on-song' for hours. Low oil lever alert. An Effective...and i will repeat Effective Cooling fan Reversal interval. Loaders have a bad habit of heating up due to build up of dust in the cooling system. LSD rear diff and/or both. If not a 'Auto-Lube' system....a Distribution block with all the grease nipples in one spot (like most large excavators)....Instead of climbing all over the machine or missing important trunnion bearing grease points etc. Oh and this may be my own personal preference but i would rather see the 'two stick' system instead of the single joystick system. Much more control in my opinion.
Mine Also. Joystick control on the smaller newer Cats is not an improvment on the twin levers of the older machines. A good external bucket level indicator would be useful, particularly when the automatic kickout fails.
A good thick heavy floor mat is a must. It reduces operator fatigue drastically by dampening noise and vibration. A thin cheap one is a waste of money though. Make it big thick and heavy. Dont make it a slab. Make it have "pressure points" with "air space". Some of our tractors use a grid system with 1-2" deep 1-2" squares with the material constructing the grid that contacts the metal about 1/4"-3/8" thick. Then up top they have a pattern with big shallow grooves to allow easier clean out but further reduce noise and vibration. Volvo's floor mat uses a simple coin design. Half spheres are scattered across the underside to provide minimal contact with the steel reducing unnecessary vibration. Aside from operator fatigue they are also very important for safety. I realize the US is strict on safety and enough things dont make sense or seem to make lawyers lots of money, but no slip surfaces are a plus and, if sold in some areas, may be required. I don't Know how many machines are setup but comparing a pilot operated joystick control versus pilot operated finger tip controls, maintenance should be similar I would think. For both setups you have pilot hydraulics coming in and going out, being operated by servos. It reduces operator feedback, but reduces fatigue drastically. I haven't run many machines with EH (Fully electric no pilots) controls, but the ones I have I wasn't very impressed with, might take some getting used to, but everything was delayed, pilots were so fast crisp and precise and less to go wrong. I prefer finger tip controls, but know many stubborn people who want their joystick. I think the finger tips are more precise and cleaner looking in the cab as you can just stack the auxiliaries in line with them. When we bought a machine with finger tip controls we ordered a joystick for it, by the time it showed up we were so used to the finger tips that we sent it back. You can crush a pop can 1/4 of the way with a 4.5 yard bucket easily. You can also be very lazy and pick up little pieces of trash with the pallet forks easily. Heck I have used the thing for pulling engines, its so precise. I would agree on appearance. I take a lot of pride in the equipment we own and run and spend a lot of time keeping it well cleaned. The nice machines get priority and by the time I get to the cheaper ones they may not quite get the care. While buying a piece of construction equipment is more about the $$$$, people still have an eye for style and class and it will still play a role especially for a new company. Make it modern looking with smooth lines and a simple two tone paint scheme with clean graphics and stylish venting. Make things symmetrical. I really like Volvo loaders, but seeing the new exhaust stuck way to the back and offset kinda hurts my eyes. I know its there due to the way they had to fit in the emissions equipment, but it still looks a little odd. As for the step, was it steel mounted or rubber? A non-solid lower step is a must. Ill agree on ** quality. We own a lot of their new equipment, when they run they run good, but theres always some little glitch. For the mudgaurds, theres a few things to consider. First and foremost, will bigger tires ever be allowed to be put on this machine. If so make sure you design accordingly. However this is usually not the case with construction equipment. How well do the fenders cleanout? A fender with good cleanout encasing a lot of the tire is best. The front tires you can really only do about half, and the rears need to allow for osciallation, but still try to cover it up as much as possible. Leave a lot of room in the middle for cleanout and keep them tight out towards the edges with replaceable extensions. If you leave too much room, dirt and mud will just build up overtime and bring you back to square one, having a fender that has good cleanout ability is the best approach. Good fenders are one of the top things many farmers continually ask ag and construction manufacturers for, We like keeping our machines clean because it makes sense. The cleaner the machine is, the happier the operator is to get in it everyday and the more pride they will take in their job, customers will be happy seeing clean machines on the job and new customers will be drawn in by the clean professional appearance, the machine will be worth more at trade in, there is the potential for fewer breakdowns due to foreign material, breakdowns can be repaired faster with fewer mishaps and a happier mechanic, and at the end of it all it even helps the OEM company when their machines are the best looking out there, people will remember them, especially since theyll be able to read the make and model since they wont be covered in mud. I think parts to build a machine at the dealer level could be a bit extreme, but the more the better. Having them within 24hrs is the most important. However with that being said, you also have to keep a lot of parts at the dealer level too. 24hrs is a lot of time and money wasted and has caused us to switch away from companies with the "have it tomorrow morning" mentalities. The most important thing with parts though is the guy sitting behind the desk. If he doesn't know his stuff within a certain amount of time, get him in back stocking or fire him. I think the best place to train new guys is the desk in back for the mechanics. The mechanics know the parts and will help the new guy understand how the machine is put together and what things are called. Some are hopeless, others have a good mechanical mind and pick up quickly, once the mechanics are happy, stick that guy up front and put any other new guys back there. It will make some mechanics grumpy, and the new guy will be in for a rude awakening, but they'll learn quick. I think its best to have an old school guy thats been around and knows where to find anything and a new young guy that knows how to work the computer fast and is trainable. I also like the companies with online parts now. It eliminates the guess work. I like to look up my own parts every chance i can, however not everybody does which is why you need good parts guys. In addition a good parts guy will find the part no matter what. If the computer says you don't have it, he will double check. If its something common he will tell you another place in town that may have it even if its a completely different brand. Set your parts up on a good inventory system. A numbering system that makes sense is a good start. But, I would have to say the number one thing that makes me mad is all of the companies spreading out common parts. Put all of the electrical connector components, bolts/nuts/hardware, bulbs/belts/bearings/seals/, and hydraulic fittings (both adapter and crimp on) in central locations so that when a customer walks in and says I need an M18-1.5x80mm gr10.9 bolt, you can just run back and grab one. No time wasted looking it up, and enough times people need them for other brand machines or projects. Cab should be roomy, clear sight lines, simple ergonomic control layout. I am a fan of the automotive style wraparound dash like volvo has over the ag style steering column only dash. Feels more cozy and thought out, plus gives you places to hide wires, install switches, ductwork etc. I also like the pillar mounted big rocker switches. BIG rocker switches. These are the norm on nearly all machines made these days. Make everything easy to operate with gloves on, I dont wear them but I know others do. One Thing I really thought was neat that Fendt did when they came out with the X5 cab was color coding of switches. All of the engine switches were one color, the transmission switches were another and the hydraulic switches were another as well, colors were grouped together and layed out in a nice panel. If you wanted to follow what the ag companies are doing, the trend is the right arm console. Everything is on there, even the radio and HVAC controls, with a large touchscreen monitor out front. This console moves around with the seat. Consolidating is also something ag companies are doing, putting everything at your finger tips and reducing the number of switches needed.
There are a lot of luxuries in the cabs today, many we could live without but were given the choice and take advantage of them. I believe it truely is determined by the operator though. No sense having all the bells and whistles if you dont use them to your advantage. I've always like the idea of having machines "prepped" for accessories. This helps resale too because the machines can be customized to the users preference. Some of the luxuries I have come to really like are, sunshades with long length of travel on all 4 sides of machine, good power heated mirrors, backup camera, pull and go horizontal sliding windows, interior lighting(enough to light up the majority of the cab to a level comfortable to read anywhere), air ride heated seats (cooled seats are even better yet but again added $$$). I think the most important parts of the seat to me aside from having air ride are, suspension firmness adjustability, oscillating suspension(allowing the seat to slightly slide in all directions horizontally, this is probably the number 1 thing i miss if i get in a seat without it),front edge cushion height( if your going to get one with it, make it a good one, many seem to put the lever in front and you bump it easily with your leg and defeat its purpose), recline (some like sitting straight up, others like it back a little). I guess I'm explaining a fairly complex expensive seat, but its the #1 tool in the cab the way I see it. It makes up for any other rough characteristics elseware and if operators dont like other things, the second they sit down they forget. If it were me I would put in a highback cloth or vented leather seat with removeable headrest, give it active load sensing air ride( gives a very good ride, allows operator to adjust to different ride heights while maintaining the same suspension characteristics, the load sensing eliminates the need for each operator to add or exhaust air for their weight giving all operators less fatigue because believe it or not, many people are too lazy to adjust a seat to achieve less fatigue, have the firmness be adjustable (3-5 settings), have the backrest tilt and cushion tilt adjustable, and definitely have oscillating suspension (make sure it can be locked out for those people that like digging their underwear out of their ass cracks at night). Heating and cooling are additional options that add cost and may not be needed. I would say if you add heat, give it a couple levels. Most seat heaters are too hot and end up being used sparingly. Cooling on the other hand is something that is very nice and is used all day, its very helpful on leather, or in vehicles with poor A/C. Leather may sound like a bad idea, however with many of the synthetic blends coming out at low prices with high durability, its becoming a good choice. Its cleanable, more comfortable and durable than vinyl (sometimes) and most importantly it doesnt hold the smell and sweat of the guy that was in there before you. Nothing worse than a wet ass from somebody elses sweat. Speaking of sweat, youll stick to a leather seat much easier than the vinyl which youll just slide off of. One last thing about the seat. Have a left side arm rest. Whether the machine has joystick steering or not, make sure there is something there with adjustable height. Radio is another luxury, some people don't want their operators to have them for obvious reasons. Many companies are making the radios dealer installed only. I say run the wires to where all of the speakers will be ( please use more than two 4" cracklers), put a two piece dress up cover over where the speaker would be. Have one piece be the grille and the other the cap for when no speaker is in place. Do the same for where the radio goes. I would design it with two double DIN bins on each side, this will allow one side to have adequate room for any radio and the other side to have room for both a two-way and CB as many companies run their own communications, but also need the CB to communicate with truckers. Prewire everything so that all the dealer/owner needs to do is select the radios, antennas and speakers. Don't forget to wire a speaker for the communications equipment. Wiring in a bluetooth microphone is not the worst idea either. If you could make it or a seperate one work with the communications radios too that would also be a plus, offer a foot switch or other conveniently located switch to activate the "talk" for the communications radios. All off this sounds way more high tech than many other members wanted, but these are cheap simple things that reduce operator fatigue, and increase performance and safety. you could even offer a cutout activated by a keyed switch for the radio speakers anytime the communications radios are being used either transmitting, it may be annoying but may be something needed for some operators, could also offer and keyed rheostat to reduce wattage sent to the speakers, effectively setting a volume limit for the radio. The modern cab is all about being able to set up a seat to be comfortable with both hands on the armrests and feet on the pedals and rarely needing the deviate from that position either to see something or reach something. A couple more things, A cruise control option for long distance drivers, or anybody who needs a set speed for a length of time. Offer a couple different programmable cruise controls allowing the operator to simply push a button for either one of them. Suspended throttle and brake pedals are more comfortable, ergonomic and can be adjusted to the operators preference, however they can be added costs. Service steps and handrails. Anywhere somebody needs to go for regular service, make it easy and safe to get there, otherwise the legal risk increase, and the probability of that maintenance task being completed goes down. Pull and go door handle. I like the new vertical ones a lot of companies are using (Agco/ Massey Large Row crops, Cat C/D series Skid steers, to name a few). Make it easy to service. Volvo now has electrically tilted single piece hoods. While I think shocks would be fine if cost were an issue, electric actuators are not that much these days. Having the entire hood out of the way makes everybody's life easier. Sight gauges for everything. Make sure you use good ones and protect them, but they do increase the likelihood of the operator checking the fluid levels. Reversible fan. Whether it is a true reversing blade fan or not just have some sort of cycle for it to keep the cooling system cleaner. Quick attach, definately a must. If you can find a way to make an indicator that is reliable without causing other issues, that would be nice too. The simple lift the tires off the ground check only works for simple attachements like buckets and forks, it can also give a false sense of engagement, the pins may not have fully seated, but you have no way to tell without getting out which we all know wont happen. A simple tag attached to the pin visible from the cab to show its position is all thats needed. Multiple piece counterweight. Accidents happen, these accidents can break the counterweight. Instead of a single piece breaking the bank, two or three will save a lot on the wallet and maybe even prevent the crack from happening. Maybe the bolts will just break instead of the stress being transferred across and fracturing the single piece counterweight. Good lights. LED's are picking up speed, I suggest investing a lot of time into good lighting regardless of the type of light. Look at the average wheel loaders lighting next to a piece of ag equipment. Its pathetic, granted the environments call for different things, but your best off to put all of them on there and allow them to be turned off. I like how a lot of OEMs are adding a feature that will only turn the rear work lights on when in reverse if selected to do so. The common practice in the ag world now is to have a sketch of the machine with each pair of lights shown and a button for each pair of lights next to it or close by with a tracer line to that spot. This allows the user to select only the lights they want on. A master switch to control them all would also be nice, make it 3 position with the third position momentary. 1st position all off, 2nd position all armed, 3rd position all on. This would allow operators to either activate the lights and select which ones they want on manually or turn all of the lights on at once and turn off the ones they dont want on individually.
Repair lights. At least put one under the hood if you could. Some manufacturers also include a portable corded light with magnetic base and 12v pigtail plug that can be plugged into various sockets wired throughout the machine. Which reminds me, if you have air brakes, add a line out so tires can be aired up and small cleanup jobs can be performed. A couple performance increasing things for the hydraulics that I feel are musts and very obvious is adjustable dual leveling, ride control, and return to dig. A return to boom setting with a switch that would activate it to over-ride float would be nice. Pushing the stick forward to a detent that would release when the boom returned to the desired setting, being able to set a ceiling limit is also nice and being able to have it detent to a preset height as well as preset curl back would be neat. I think hydraulic snubbing would have to be required though for these features to operate smoothly. Make sure to make everything lockable. Any compartment needs to be able to have a padlock installed. DO NOT make them lockable with your own locks that use the loader key or something similar. Reason being, many people don't use the locks and they will seize up so when the next owner buys it and wants to use them, they will have a lot of work ahead of them or will have to buy all new lock cylinders. Obviously many of these are just things I'd like to see on complex machines and are not a way to build a simple machine. I agree on the common parts. One thing that would really make me happy is if each machine had standardized bolts, If you put an M10 bolt somewhere and you put a 15mm head on it, do that everywhere, don's use some that are 16, or 17, or 18, only use the same please. Flange head bolts are much appreciated over washers, less to loose. Everywhere you can, avoid having to use a bolt and a nut, either have a nut going onto a stud, or bolt threading into a hole. Yes these things are harder to repair if ruined, but those instances are rare and the rest of the time people will not be dropping hardware everywhere which leads to more downtime, lost money due to longer repair hours and extra parts, and worse (but very common) future failures because the fastener just doesn't get used because the mechanic is too lazy to find it or looses it and doesnt have another at the time and will "get to it later". If you use common components (which I like) please don't try hiding that you used it by putting your name on it, it makes way more work for us when we try matching one off the shelf. If its a SKF seal that you buy in bulk, then yes you can give it your own part number and packaging to make it fit into your inventory better, but put a note on the computer with the brand a part number, or at least don't pay SKF to put your name and part number on it in place of theirs. At the same time I am not an advocate for common components. I feel you need to start there, but building everything in house has its advantages, mostly in quality control and warranty. If it breaks, you built it, so theres more wiggle room to make the customer happy, if you didnt build it and rely on the OEM to stand behind it, that creates more headaches, and more confusion and more time lost and money lost, if you buy parts "as is" with no warranty, you still have the added cost of buying them so wiggle room to make customer happy isnt as large, and you dont have the control over quality. parts will fail that arent yours but they are on your machine so you are responsible and can look bad. I agree with the computer charges. Please dont charge me thousands of dollars for a 10 minute software update that unlocks some extra features. All of my ideas i stated above would require plenty of computers. Many people are against them. the reason being the price, and they fact they dont know how to and/or cant work on them thus creating a lot of frusteration, lost time, and lost money. If you could allow extensive diagnostic capability through the display in the cab, or offer a cable and software to use a laptop to run diagnostics on the machine, you would win alot of these peoples hearts back. Were at the stage where you either buy new with warranty or you buy old mechanical with few computers. If you look at market values, the computerized machines out of warranty are worth less than the simpler older machines enough times. If you went one step further and allowed owners access to the service manuals that would make you the greatest company in the world in my opinion. Call me a two year old but I really do think that it isn't fair. The dealers get exclusive rights to enough of the information, and the information that is available to the consumer is sold at a ridiculous price. $800 for a book or a CD, get a life. Good luck with the project.
Coat every pin, every shaft, every bolt, every stud, every nut, everything with anti seize at the factory, and advertise it as a selling point.
G'day guys sorry long time been away from HEF's thansk heaps for all the feedback and Plant Fitter mate we are going with your suggestion about the anti seize it will be getting extensive use. Now the question i have come to ask you guys is there such a thing as over kill when it comes to the weight of a machine aka thickness of the frame and arms? what iam talking about we are looking at other brands out there and there machines with a 3ton lifting capacity they are all around the 9-10ton in weight we where working on the frame and parts and what we have come up with is ours will be closer to 14tons. is this a bad thing? what are your thoughts and suggestions guys would love to hear them. Thanks James (JGS)
Also guys what do you think about the Idea of using LED bar lights instead of normal lights? and mounting them on the top of the cabin? they would be flood lights rather then directional and we where thinking for the front 280Watt or 1.1meter light and the rear would be a 180Watt a 75cm light. one thing we where worried about was theft? what you guys think? thanks James (JGS)
Im a little confused here, did you buy an already existing loader and modify it and call it your own? Cause the blue one looks to me like a carbon copy of the yellow one, except with different axles. In fact i think i see some of them behind the blue one in the factory photos, sure looks like the same lights on the bigger ones right behind it too. Seems as though something fishy is going on to me.
As you can see in my earlier post i said our loaders at first will look like other models but with the -2 models coming out very soon they will be our own look machine. will be posting photos asap of the new body design
OK that still doesn't answer the question, a little alike is one thing. But the same cab, hood, loader arms, tanks, lights... I don't know how things work in China, is it commonplace for one company to steal another's product design?
Mate in china there is over 200 wheel loader companys that all use the same cab's and frames and everything. Come on think about it this is china and they copy everything. we actually just had issues with this ourselfs with other trading companys trying to sell our designs and posting our products on there website.
Just wondering, are these the same loaders that you talk about in your other thread called "Australian Made?" ? Are they Australian made or Chinese made?
lolzzzzzz...I am totally lost guys